# Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi’an

> The Small Wild Goose Pagoda (Xiaoyanta) is a 13-tier Tang brick pagoda from the early 700s in the gardens of Jianfu Temple, 2.3 km south of the Bell Tower. Entry, with the Xi’an Museum, is free but needs a booking and your passport. Open about 9:00–17:30 in winter, 8:30–18:00 in summer; closed Tuesdays. Allow one to two hours.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/china/xian/small-wild-goose-pagoda

- City: [Xi’an](https://yesgo.io/china/xian), China
- YesGo score: 41/100 (Yes, if nearby)
- Time on site: 1 h
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Entry: Free — gardens, pagoda (outside) and the Xi’an Museum on one booking
- Booking: Real-name, in advance: Xi’an Museum WeChat account (西安博物院), the museum website or Meituan/Dianping; passport at the gate
- Entry slots: 8:30–11:00, 11:00–13:00, 13:00–15:00, 15:00–17:00
- Hours: About 8:30–18:00 in summer, 9:00–17:30 from November to mid-March; last entry an hour before closing
- Closed: Tuesdays (open on public holidays) and Chinese New Year's Eve
- Climbing: Not guaranteed — access inside is irregular, so plan to see it from outside
- Metro: Lines 2 and 5, Nanshaomen (南稍门), Exit F, 5–10 minutes' walk west
- Address: 72 Youyi West Road, Beilin District (友谊西路72号)
- Time needed: An hour for the gardens and pagoda, another for the Xi’an Museum
- Coordinates: 34.24080, 108.93736
- Facts checked: 04.11.2026

## Key facts

- **707–709** — the pagoda was built under Tang Emperor Zhongzong to hold sutras the monk Yijing brought back from India (source: English and Russian Wikipedia; Xinhua; TravelChinaGuide)
- **¥0** — entry to the gardens, the pagoda grounds and the Xi’an Museum is free — with an advance booking (source: China For Travelers; TravelChinaGuide; Ruqin Travel)
- **Tuesday** — the complex's weekly closing day; it opens on public holidays (source: China For Travelers; TravelChinaGuide; Dahe Piaowu)
- **≈ 43 m** — height today; the original pagoda stood about 45 m (source: English Wikipedia; Xinhua; The Paper)
- **15 → 13** — tiers when it was built and today — the top two are lost (source: English Wikipedia; Xinhua; TravelChinaGuide)
- **2014** — inscribed by UNESCO as part of the Silk Roads: Chang'an–Tianshan Corridor (source: English Wikipedia; Xinhua)
- **Morning bell** — the Jianfu Temple bell by the pagoda is one of the Eight Views of Guanzhong (source: English Wikipedia; Xinhua)
- **≈ 3.1 km** — in a straight line to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda — a different site (source: Wikipedia coordinates)
- **≈ 2.3 km** — from the Bell Tower; about 1.3 km from the South Gate of the city wall (source: Wikipedia coordinates)
- **2 & 5** — metro lines serving Nanshaomen, the nearest station (source: English Wikipedia; TravelChinaGuide; China For Travelers)

> **Free, but book ahead — and it's shut on Tuesdays** There's no ticket to buy, but you won't get in without a **reservation**: entry runs in time slots, and weekend and holiday slots go fast. Bookings are tied to your **passport**, and foreigners are processed at the window rather than the turnstiles, which only read Chinese ID cards. The whole complex closes on **Tuesdays** except public holidays. And it's not the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda — that one is 3 km away.

## Is the Small Wild Goose Pagoda worth visiting?

Yes, if you have more than a day in Xi’an. The **Small Wild Goose Pagoda** (小雁塔, Xiaoyanta) is a Tang brick tower built in **707–709** under Emperor Zhongzong to store Buddhist sutras the monk **Yijing** carried back from India by sea. It's about 43 m tall and has survived for well over a thousand years.

It stands in the gardens of the former **Jianfu Temple** (荐福寺), one of the great translation centres of Tang-era Chang'an. Today it's not a working monastery but part of the **Xi’an Museum** (西安博物院): leafy grounds, a few temple halls, the pagoda and a modern museum of the city's own finds — all on one free booking.

The pagoda once had 15 tiers; 13 remain, and the top is missing, which gives it its slightly blunt silhouette. Its eaves are packed tightly together and taper in a soft curve, so it's often likened to a bamboo shoot — a very different shape from the stepped Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.

YesGo's take: this is the calmest major sight in Xi’an. No fountain shows, no crowds of tour groups, just shady paths and a genuine Tang pagoda you can walk all the way round. On a one-day visit, put the Terracotta Army and the wall first. With two or three days, come here — ideally first thing in the morning.

## How to get to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda

1. From the Bell Tower, go down to **Zhonglou** station (钟楼) and take **Line 2** south.
2. Ride two stops — Yongningmen (the South Gate of the wall) and **Nanshaomen** (南稍门), where Line 5 also stops. About 5 minutes.
3. Leave by **Exit F** and walk west along Youyi West Road: around 500 m, 5–10 minutes, to the museum's North Gate.
4. Show your booking and passport at the gate — head for the staffed window, not the turnstiles.
5. On foot from the South Gate of the wall it's 20–25 minutes: head south along the metro line to the Nanshaomen junction, then turn right (west) onto Youyi West Road.
6. Pay for the metro with an Alipay or WeChat Pay QR code linked to a foreign card, or with cash at the machines. By taxi or DiDi, ask for 小雁塔 北门 (North Gate).

## Is it free, and how do you book?

Entry is **free**. One reservation covers the gardens, the pagoda grounds, the Jianfu Temple halls and the **Xi’an Museum**. But it's not walk-in: according to TravelChinaGuide and Dahe Piaowu, entry is split into slots — 8:30–11:00, 11:00–13:00, 13:00–15:00 and 15:00–17:00 — and each booking is tied to a slot and an ID.

Book through the official **Xi’an Museum (西安博物院) WeChat account**, the museum website, or the Chinese apps Meituan and Dianping. Guides disagree on how far ahead the booking window opens — anything from a few days to a week — so book as soon as your date is fixed, especially for weekends and Chinese holidays.

Bring the **original passport** you booked with. China For Travelers notes that the turnstiles are built for Chinese ID cards, so foreign visitors go through the window; allow a few extra minutes.

As nothing is charged at the gate, payment isn't an issue here. You'll only need money for the metro, water and the museum shop. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards work best linked to Alipay or WeChat Pay; keep some small yuan notes as backup.

## Opening hours and the Tuesday closure

Sources agree that the complex is closed on **Tuesdays**, except on public holidays, and on Chinese New Year's Eve. TravelChinaGuide limits the Tuesday closure to November–April, while others apply it all year — assume Tuesday is off.

Hours are seasonal. Dahe Piaowu gives **8:30–18:00 from 15 March to 31 October** (last entry 17:00) and **9:00–17:30 from 1 November to 14 March** (last entry 16:30). In July and August guides report longer hours, up to 19:00. We couldn't open an official timetable, so treat these as approximate.

In practice, arrive **by 15:00** if you want time for both the gardens and the museum. Weekday mornings are quietest; during holidays the museum sometimes extends its hours, which it announces on its WeChat account.

## Can you climb the Small Wild Goose Pagoda?

Probably not — plan to see it from the outside. China For Travelers says access to the interior is irregular and depends on maintenance, weather and crowds, and advises against counting on it. Some guides say climbing isn't allowed at all; others still describe the internal stairs; older listings mention a separate fee to go up.

Inside, narrow wooden stairs cling to the walls, switching between the east and west sides, and the windows are small. Even when it is open, don't expect the views you'd get elsewhere — the point of coming is the pagoda itself and the gardens around it.

If climbing matters to you, the [Giant Wild Goose Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/giant-wild-goose-pagoda) sells a separate ticket to go up, and is the more reliable choice.

## What to see

- **The pagoda** — walk all the way round: each face has an arched opening and tightly stacked grey-brick eaves.
- **The bell tower** — home to a large Jin-dynasty bronze bell; “the morning bell at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda” is one of the classic views of the region.
- **Jianfu Temple halls** — the gate and main hall on the axis leading to the pagoda.
- **The Xi’an Museum** — the city's own collection, strongest on the Tang era. Good, but not a substitute for the [Shaanxi History Museum](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/shaanxi-history-museum).
- **The gardens** — old trees and quiet shady paths. TravelChinaGuide lists cherry blossom in late March, hydrangeas and lotus in June, and golden ginkgo and maples from late October into November.
- **The main path** — the best photo spot, with the pagoda framed behind a red-pillared hall.

## Small vs Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

|  | Small Wild Goose Pagoda | Giant Wild Goose Pagoda |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Built | 707–709, under Emperor Zhongzong | 652, for the monk Xuanzang |
| Height and tiers | ≈ 43 m, 13 tiers, smooth tapering profile | ≈ 64 m, 7 tiers, stepped profile |
| Where | Jianfu Temple, just south of the wall; Nanshaomen metro | Da Ci'en Temple, south of the city; Dayanta metro |
| Entry | Free with booking, includes the Xi’an Museum | Paid temple ticket plus a separate climb ticket (unofficial) |
| Climbing | Irregular — don't count on it | Yes, with a separate ticket |
| Closed | Tuesdays | Open daily |
| Feel | Quiet gardens, few people | Big squares, fountain show, night lights |

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda details come from YesGo's page on it; prices and hours for both are unofficial.

## A short history

According to English Wikipedia, Jianfu Temple was founded in Chang'an, the Tang capital, at the end of the 7th century, shortly after the death of Emperor Gaozong, on the site of the former residence of his son, the future Emperor Zhongzong. It became one of the city's leading centres for translating Buddhist scriptures.

Between 707 and 709 the court paid for a pagoda here to house the sutras brought from India by the monk **Yijing**. It came to be called the “small” goose pagoda as a counterpart to the Giant one, built half a century earlier for Xuanzang's sutras.

The top of the pagoda, with its two highest tiers, was lost in the Ming era, when the base was also re-clad in a new layer of brick. A large Jin-dynasty bronze bell was later moved to the bell tower beside it. Today the Xi’an Museum surrounds the pagoda, and in 2014 the pagoda joined the UNESCO World Heritage List with the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and other Silk Road sites.

## Before you go

Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser.

- [ ] Booked a time slot
- [ ] Original passport — the one used for the booking
- [ ] It's not a Tuesday
- [ ] Arriving by 15:00 to fit in the museum
- [ ] Alipay with a foreign card, or cash, for the metro
- [ ] 小雁塔 and 西安博物院 saved for the taxi driver

## Historic Xi’an compared

Historic sights in Xi’an rated by YesGo.

- [Terracotta Army](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/terracotta-army) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 3 h · ¥120, passport booking ahead
- [Great Mosque of Xi’an](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-great-mosque) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥25, ¥15 in winter; Muslims free
- [Muslim Quarter](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-muslim-quarter) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free, open 24 hours
- [Small Wild Goose Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/small-wild-goose-pagoda) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free, advance booking with passport
- [Giant Wild Goose Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/giant-wild-goose-pagoda) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ ¥10; pagoda climb ≈ ¥25 extra
- [Bell and Drum Towers](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-bell-and-drum-towers) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ¥30 per tower, ¥50 for both
- [Xi’an City Wall](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-city-wall) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ¥54, bike ¥45 / 3 hours
- [Shaanxi History Museum](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/shaanxi-history-museum) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Free with booking; Tang murals extra
- [Mount Hua](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/mount-hua) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ¥160; cable cars ¥80–140 extra

## One day in Xi’an: Bell Tower to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

Start at the Bell Tower and the South Gate of the wall, ride two metro stops to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xi’an Museum, spend the afternoon at the Shaanxi History Museum and finish at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

1. [Bell and Drum Towers](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-bell-and-drum-towers) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ¥30 per tower, ¥50 for both
2. [Xi’an City Wall](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-city-wall) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ¥54, bike ¥45 / 3 hours
3. [Small Wild Goose Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/small-wild-goose-pagoda) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free, advance booking with passport
4. [Shaanxi History Museum](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/shaanxi-history-museum) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Free with booking; Tang murals extra
5. [Giant Wild Goose Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/giant-wild-goose-pagoda) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ ¥10; pagoda climb ≈ ¥25 extra

> **Best time: a weekday morning** Book the first slot of the day: the gardens are quiet, the light is soft, and you'll have seen the pagoda and the Xi’an Museum by lunchtime. From here, the Shaanxi History Museum is a few metro stops away. Come in spring for the cherry blossom, or in late autumn for the golden ginkgo.

## Don't mix them up

Xi’an has two wild goose pagodas. The Small one (Xiaoyanta, 小雁塔) stands in the gardens of Jianfu Temple and the Xi’an Museum, just south of the city wall, and is free with a booking. The Giant one (Dayanta, 大雁塔) is in Da Ci'en Temple in the south of the city, with paid entry and a fountain show. They're 3 km apart, and a booking for one doesn't get you into the other.

## Tips

- Book as soon as your date is fixed — free weekend slots run out.
- Bring the original passport; a photo or copy won't do.
- Foreign visitors: use the staffed window, not the turnstiles.
- Don't come on a Tuesday unless it's a public holiday.
- Don't plan on climbing — enjoy the pagoda from the gardens and the main path.
- Use Exit F at Nanshaomen — it's the closest to the North Gate.
- Pair it with the South Gate of the [city wall](https://yesgo.io/china/xian/xian-city-wall): one metro stop or a 20–25-minute walk apart.

## Questions

### Is the Small Wild Goose Pagoda free?

Yes. The gardens, the pagoda grounds and the Xi’an Museum are free, but you must book a time slot in advance with your passport.

### How do I book the Small Wild Goose Pagoda?

Through the Xi’an Museum (西安博物院) WeChat account, the museum website, or Meituan/Dianping. Pick a slot and enter your passport number.

### Can you climb the Small Wild Goose Pagoda?

Not reliably. Access inside is irregular, so plan to see it from outside. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda sells a climb ticket.

### What are the opening hours?

Unofficially, about 8:30–18:00 from mid-March to October and 9:00–17:30 from November to mid-March, with last entry an hour before closing.

### Is it closed on Tuesdays?

Yes, except on Chinese public holidays. It also closes on Chinese New Year's Eve.

### How do I get to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda by metro?

Take Line 2 (or Line 5) to Nanshaomen, leave by Exit F and walk west for 5–10 minutes to the North Gate on Youyi West Road.

### How long do you need?

About an hour for the gardens and pagoda, two hours if you also see the Xi’an Museum.

### Is the Small Wild Goose Pagoda the same as the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda?

No. They are different Tang pagodas about 3 km apart: the Small one is free with booking; the Giant one is paid and has a fountain show.

### Is the Small Wild Goose Pagoda worth it?

Yes, with more than a day in Xi’an: a genuine Tang pagoda, quiet gardens and a free museum. On a one-day trip, the Terracotta Army and the wall come first.

## How we checked

The Xi’an Museum's official website renders by script and returned no text to our tools, and Ctrip blocks bots, so hours, booking and climbing are marked “checking”. Free entry with booking is confirmed by TravelChinaGuide, China For Travelers and Ruqin Travel. The Tuesday closure comes from three sources; TravelChinaGuide limits it to November–April, the others apply it all year — we show the stricter version. Seasonal hours are from Dahe Piaowu, the summer extension from China For Travelers and TravelChinaGuide; opening time varies between guides (8:30 or 9:00). Guides give different booking windows, so we don't quote a number. On climbing, guides contradict each other; we follow China For Travelers, the most recently updated, which says access is irregular. The temple's founding year and the bell's weight appear in only one Wikipedia article, so they're not listed as facts. Distances are from Wikipedia coordinates. The English core comes from English-language search results and related questions.

## Sources

- English Wikipedia: “Small Wild Goose Pagoda” — 707–709, height, tiers, Jianfu Temple, bell, UNESCO, coordinates; “Xi'an Museum” — address, layout of the complex; “Line 5 (Xi'an Metro)” — Line 2 interchange at Nanshaomen
- Russian Wikipedia: “Small Wild Goose Pagoda” — construction years, the monk Yijing, height
- Xinhua (news.cn), article on the Small Wild Goose Pagoda: Jinglong era, 43.4 m, 15 and 13 tiers, UNESCO, the morning bell
- The Paper (澎湃新闻), “小雁塔｜一千三百年长安浮屠”: internal stairs, height
- TravelChinaGuide, “Small Wild Goose Pagoda”: free entry, booking and slots, hours, Tuesday closure, metro Exit F, seasonal blooms
- China For Travelers, “Small Wild Goose Pagoda”: free with booking, passport at the window, Tuesday closure, irregular climbing, metro
- Dahe Piaowu (大河票务): seasonal hours, Tuesday and New Year's Eve closure, entry slots, address, Exit F
- Ruqin Travel, “Tickets for top attractions in Xi'an”: free entry, booking channels
- YesGo notes on China and Xi’an: payments, metro, distances

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